The Flower of Separation

Yes, that is right, the main reason for her irritation towards this person is that.

Brother Raiju often told her stories regarding this person in the past.

'I couldn't miss the hint of admiration in his tone. He cared and respected her that much.'

No, if it were mere admiration, he would not have gone that far. Even now, she recalled the scene clearly in her mind, how he rushed into the sea of flames.

It was that moment where she felt genuine resentment for her brother. How dare he leave during such a crucial stage in the plan? That night, if he had proceeded with the plan, as usual, the Empire would be safe right about now. Eric would never have appeared, and her father would not be here.

His head would have rolled off the stand in the execution ground a long time ago.

But no, the moment her brother heard that Zestra Zushi was still in the monastery, he abandoned everything.

'I already felt that something would go wrong when he gave those orders to sir Aaron and me.'

Even though she had a bad feeling, she still followed his orders. It was something she regretted. If she stopped him, no, if she went with him, the situation would not have escalated that far.

'All because of his feelings for Zestra Zushi. I am not a fool; it was clear to me that my brother liked her even back then. He probably had reservations admitting that he liked somebody the same age as his sister.'

What a stupid man. A three-year age gap is nothing in the Empire. Many people marry with much more significant age differences. If she were a normal sister, perhaps she would have encouraged and helped her brother out.

Zushi is the same age as her; they could have been friends if they had met. She could have helped the two get closer to each other. But the scenario did not play out that way.

"Miss Lillian?"

"I'll accept this, thank you."

A relieved sigh passed Zushi's lips, and she rolled her eyes. Is she that relieved about it? Then again, it is unlike her to accept a gift like this.

'But brother, this person you respect is more naive than you are.' Even if they have similar traits, Zestra Zushi is far more naive and kind. That kindness of hers will be her downfall one day.

Her thoughts broke off hearing the sound of the door creaking open. Natalia peered through curiously.

'She must have overheard the servants.'

"Natalia, come here."

The girl quickly entered the room. She looked towards the young boy on the couch the moment she did.

"Lucas and I will lead the Empress to the banquet hall; you stay here with the Prince till he wakes up."

"Y--yes, sister!" Natalia stammered.

Lillian turned to the Empress. "Leave him with Natalia."

"But-"

"This kid is strong, otherwise. Do you think my father would allow me to put on such a grand event for her?"

Certainly, if Natalia were weak, there would be no use for this gathering. Father only cares about the strong.

She seemed reluctant but quickly followed Lucas and her out of the room.

"What do you think?" Lillian asked.

Lucas looked back at Zushi, sauntering behind them.

"No good."

"You think so too?"

"As in no good right now. I think if we help her recover her memories, she will be more useful."

It seems returning the Empress memories is key. But it is not that easy to return lost memories. However, both Lucas and she have the power to do so. They have to learn everything regarding the past.

The person that could help them the most with that would be - Zushi's brother Aaron or even that woman he was seeing.

'Both those two disappeared too.' No, forced to disappear. Who else would be good?

It isn't easy to find people who knew of her brother's existence in the present day. Those in the manor who knew him are no help because of her father's gag order. Asking the people who worked in the monastery will not help either.

They are loyal to God and have to maintain neutrality. Moreover, thousands of people died during that incident; it is not a topic she could easily bring up.

Still, if worse comes to worst and she cannot find any clues, she will resort to drastic measures.

Lillian briefly glanced over at Zushi, who kept her head down. It seems the truth will come out eventually. This person came here tonight to ask for her aid but will she do so when the truth comes out?

'I doubt she will stay on my side.' But that was fine with her; Zestra Zushi was only a pawn from the very start. A pawn for her to use whenever she pleased.

"But remember what she told you about a room in the Zestra manor with a powerful seal on it?"

"Ah."

"You should ask her to set up a visit as soon as possible."

"Mmm, but after this party, I was going to head to the lakeside village."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "You're going to give that person a heart attack with your random visits."

At those words, she chuckled. "But it's better to make use of him before Eric or father does."

"As you know, in your current reckless state, you cannot go alone. I'll go with you this year."

"Yes, yes, sir magician who doesn't want to leave my side recently."

"Isn't that because you need too much maintenance recently?" Lucas sighed. "What is wrong with your mana? Did you do something to make it flare up so much?"

"Hmm, I wouldn't know about that. But, if there is something that has changed, I suppose it would be my nightmares."

"Your nightmares? Did they get worse?"

"No, it's more the opposite. I haven't had them recently. But the ones I do have are longer than usual."

At those words, Lucas frowned. "I see. I wonder if it's because you're spending more time in that place, and that's why your mana is fluctuating."

"Is it bad?"

"After the trip to the lake village, I advise you to isolate yourself in the tower for a while."

"Alright."

'It's not new already; this frequently happened in the past. When I first returned to the Ageha family, I often made long trips to the tower.'

However, since she became a general, it has been difficult to go. Still, if Lucas is advising her to go, she ought to.

Lillian placed her hand on her forehead. 'My head still hurts.'

Her thoughts broke off when Lucas brushed his hands across her forehead, moving her hand away.

"Do you still have a fever?"

"Just a little. I guess the drinks didn't help."

When she is in this weak state, drinking should be a no. 'I don't like drinking much, but I have no choice during events like this.'

Lucas tapped her forehead. "This should do for now."

'My body suddenly feels lighter again.'

Indeed those rumors are correct. Lucas is her lifeline. Without him, she would certainly have died a long time ago. She would have died when they chased her out of the Ageha family.. If she did not let her curiosity get to her that day, she wouldn't have met him.